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Operator Comparison

Ruea Chor Maetapee vs Raja Ferry

Compare Ruea Chor Maetapee and Raja Ferry — routes, service areas, and coverage across Thailand. See where they overlap and where each operator goes its own way.

Operator A Ruea Chor Maetapee vs Operator B Raja Ferry
Ruea Chor Maetapee 4.0 / 5 20+ reviews
Raja Ferry 4.2 / 5 2200+ reviews

What travellers say: Ruea Chor Maetapee vs Raja Ferry

Based on review data, Raja Ferry edges out slightly higher in average rating and volume of feedback, while both operators show a mix of reliable arrivals and recurring service gaps; travellers can book either through ThailandBoatTickets.com and reach the 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram or Facebook for real-time help.

Ruea Chor Maetapee

Ruea Chor Maetapee earns a 4.05 average from 20 reviews, with praise for smooth and safe overnight ferry arrivals that get travellers to Koh Tao Pier, though limited written feedback highlights issues like unclear route and transfer information, misleading arrival times, filthy bathrooms, and cold buses without toilets or blankets.

Raja Ferry

Raja Ferry holds a 4.21 average across 2,206 reviews, with frequent praise for comfortable spacious buses, good value, friendly helpful staff, free meals, and stable big-ferry crossings that reduce seasickness, offset by complaints about ageing dirty ferries with poor toilets, frequent delays, chaotic transfers, and no baggage assistance on steep stairs.

Raja Ferry draws more consistent positive sentiment on buses and value despite ferry drawbacks, while Ruea Chor Maetapee offers basic reliability with thinner feedback and sharper complaints on information and comfort; ThailandBoatTickets.com remains the ideal booking choice with VTA support available anytime.

Service areas at a glance

Based on currently active routes for each operator.

Routes & coverage compared

Both operators run identical services on these routes: Surat Thani to Ao Nang, Hat Yai, Khao Sok, Koh Lanta, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Phuket, plus Surat Thani Airport to Surat Thani. Trip planners can compare and book any of these overlapping departures on ThailandBoatTickets.com, where the 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) is ready on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook.

Ruea Chor Maetapee alone covers Koh Tao departures to Ao Nang, Hat Yai, Khao Lak, Khao Sok, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Phuket, Railay and Surat Thani Bus Terminal, plus Surat Thani to Khao Lak, Koh Phi Phi and Railay and Surat Thani Airport to Koh Tao. Raja Ferry alone runs the much wider network that includes Bangkok to Ao Nang, Donsak, Hat Yai, Khao Lak, Khao Sok, Koh Kradan, Koh Lanta, Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Penang, Phuket, Railay and Trang, plus all the listed island-to-island and island-to-mainland connections involving Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Phuket, Krabi and Donsak. Book either operator’s unique routes on ThailandBoatTickets.com with help from the 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook.

Routes both operators run

Same departure and destination — true head-to-head options.

Price distribution

How ticket prices spread across each operator's routes (THB).

Ruea Chor Maetapee tickets usually fall between 460 THB–1,160 THB (median 810 THB), while Raja Ferry between 590 THB–1,240 THB (median 865 THB). Overall the two operators sit in a similar price range.

0–250
250–500
500–1k
1k–2k
2k+
Ruea Chor Maetapee — min 90 · median 810 · max 2210 Raja Ferry — min 60 · median 865 · max 3000

Which should you pick?

Best on a budget Raja Ferry — described as a reliable well-priced operator
Fastest Ruea Chor Maetapee — praised for smooth safe arrivals
Most comfortable Raja Ferry — higher 4.21 rating with 77.4% positive reviews
Most travel options Raja Ferry — offers combined bus ferry van packages to many destinations

Frequently asked questions

Ruea Chor Maetapee vs Raja Ferry